Atherosclerosis disease – causes

Atherosclerosis disease – causes

Atherosclerosis (or sclerosis) is a disease of large and medium arteries. Nature has placed arteries deep into tissues of the body to be maximum protected of injury. For arterial vessels can orient their constant pulsations. Veins can not pulsate independently and many of them are located on the surface of the body. Vessels that you see under the skin of the hands, feet and other parts of the body are veins. The veins are not affected by atherosclerosis. They are sclerosed otherwise.

Atherosclerosis – explanation video

Atherosclerosis develops over decades, like a chronic disease. It affects all people without exception. This disease begins in childhood, progresses slowly without giving any symptoms and occurs in middle and old age, when the vessels are narrowed to such an extent that can not provide normal blood flow to organs. Normally the inner surface of arteries is smooth and shiny. There is no resistance in the motion of blood in arteries and the blood flows smoothly reaching all tissues and organs. Somewhere in childhood and adolescence in the wall of the arteries begins accumulation of fat (lipids) in the form of spots and stripes, which are clearly seen as well – demarcated yellow fields. These fatty stains are not raised to the cavity of the vessel, do not narrow it and do not hinder the movement of blood.

Atherosclerosis disease

At middle age these initial atherosclerotic changes accumulate on their surface connective tissue (this is where the name sclerosis came from). In this process the fat spots are lifted gradually up the inner surface of the artery, like moving earth layers, forming a hilly area. They narrow vascular cavity (lumen of the vessel) and interfere with blood flow. Narrowing progresses with age and can lead to complete blockage.

Complications of some sclerotic plaques (thrombosis, haemorrhage into plaque) also cause blockage of arteries. In tissues with complete cessation of blood supply develops infarction (necrosis –death of the tissue). This is now the last final stage of the disease.

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of socially significant diseases of our modern society. These diseases are socially significant because they are the most common cause of death in middle and old age. These include coronary artery disease (ischemic heart disease) with almost all its forms – angina, myocardial infarction, SME (cerebrovascular disease – elderly dementia (dementia), ischemic stroke, gangrene of the extremities, mesenteric thrombosis (hemorrhagic infarction of the intestine).

How cholesterol clogs your arteries

The causes of atherosclerosis are unclear. The appearance, development and seriousness of this disease depends on the following risk factors:

Major risk factors:

Hyperlipidemia (high level of lipids in blood). The mode of nutrition and dietary are important for this risk factor. Consumption of foods containing animal fats (cholesterol and saturated fatty acids) favors the development of atherosclerosis. The same goes for pasta and sugary foods because the body excess sugars are converted into fat and stored as a backup energy source. Where exactly are they stored? Look at the folds of your belly and see them! Inclusion in the daily menu of vegetable fats (nuts, olive oil), fish (rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids) supplements (pectin), natural fruit juices (aronia, compost and nectar), fruits and vegetables (onions, leeks, garlic, walnuts, apples, pears) reduced the risk of atherosclerosis. Eating an apple a day at least acts as a “broom” for cholesterol in the intestine. In addition, apples protect against caries. Eskimos eat exclusively animal products, with complete lack of fruits and vegetables. They eat fat every day by seals, whales and polar bears, but do not suffer from disease due to atherosclerosis. This is because their daily menu contents fish.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a disease, related to atherosclerosis. Both diseases confidently walk hand in hand. The more high blood pressure and the longer it continues, atherosclerosis starts earlier and is more severe. Control of high blood pressure(including drugs) reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.

Smoking by vasospasm and toxic substances entering the bloodstream increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Diabetes leads to early and severe atherosclerosis among other organ damage characteristic of this disease.

Secondary risk factors:

Voltage and constant stress (Figures of psychological type A)

Lack of physical activity

Gout

Obesity

Regular consumption of large amounts of sweets

Use of hormonal contraceptive tablets.

Attention!

The prevention of development of early and severe atherosclerosis with all life-threatening complication is by avoiding risk factors!

The only safe chemical which “dissolves” fat in atherosclerosis plaques is ethanol. Ethanol is alcohol, which is for drinking and is found in all alcoholic drinks. Alcohol, except engine degreasing and cleaning oily stains on cloths, small (to moderate) amount prevents the development of atherosclerosis. That is why in the arteries of alcoholics almost have no atherosclerotic changes. For the same reason that the doctors around the world advise patients with heart diseases to drink a glass of wine every night or to adopt small amount of pure concentrated alcohol.

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Atherosclerosis disease – causes
Atherosclerosis (or sclerosis) is a disease of large and medium arteries. Nature has placed arteries deep into tissues of the body to be maximum protected of injury. For arterial vessels can orient their constant pulsatio